Schönborn with Final ORF New Year's Eve Address as Archbishop of Vienna
The problems are large and rarely has a year change been "associated with so much uncertainty as this year," the Viennese Archbishop referred to the war in Ukraine, in the Middle East or the national debt. The fear that this generates should be countered with optimism, according to Schönborn.
Schönborn "wants to be a bridge builder of peace"
Schönborn, in this context, reminded of the doctor, psychotherapist and concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) and his motto "Say yes to life in spite of everything". From a "position of trust", one can still discover something good or meaningful even in seemingly hopeless situations. Trust is therefore a "stance against the current, against pessimism", which can be nurtured through compassion and the human ability to empathize with the suffering of others. "And from this compassion and ability to empathize, a solidary community arises," says Schönborn. "We can choose to do this - very consciously: I want to be a bridge builder of peace." Cardinal Schönborn, who will turn 80 on January 22, gave his last ORF New Year's address as Archbishop of Vienna on Tuesday. On January 18, he will celebrate his farewell as Archbishop of Vienna with a thanksgiving service in St. Stephen's Cathedral and a subsequent celebration at St. Stephen's Square. A successor has not yet been appointed.
(APA/Red)
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